Category Manager (Merchant)

Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores•Elk Grove Township, IL

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The Category Manager (Merchant) is responsible for leading the selection and purchasing of products that align with the company’s sales strategy and customer preferences. This role involves analyzing market trends, forecasting demand, negotiating with suppliers, and managing inventory to ensure optimal stock levels and profitability. By reviewing and interpreting market and customer insight data, the Merchant builds strategic plans that enhance the department’s competitive advantages.

Requirements

HS Diploma or equivalent required
3-5 years of category management experience in a retail setting
Experience managing vendor relations, 3rd party suppliers and distributors, and proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint) required
Stable work history, good written and verbal communications skills, team player, attention to detail, self-motivated and responsible, ability to work in a fast-paced changing environment and strong analytical skills
Requires prolonged sitting, some bending and stooping
Manual dexterity sufficient to operate a computer keyboard and calculator

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, merchandising, fashion merchandising or a related field is preferred
Personnel supervision preferred
Accounts Receivable/Rebate. SAP, back office systems, and C-Store experience a plus
Product and brand development experience ideal
Knowledgeable and proficient within Microsoft Office programs (Excel, PowerPoint etc), Data Tools

Responsibilities

Oversee assigned categories within the Merchandise Department
Full ownership to develop, plan, and implement multi-year strategic plans for given categories
Leverage data and resources to make informed product-level and category-level decisions. Regularly review data to measure impacts of implemented strategies.
Deploy tests (product, fixture, vendor, distribution, etc.) and measure success metrics
Strategize, manage, support private brand consumable products. Work with Brand Managers to develop strategies for assortment, price, and promotion.
Own the 4 P’s of Marketing for given categories (product, place, price, promotion)
Develop & improve a set review process/Joint Business Planning Process (JBP)/LAB (yearly planning) for the merchandising department
Responsible for providing year-over-year growth and for exceeding budget and P&L goals
Build collaborative relationships with cross-functional team leaders. Partner with marketing, support, and operations teams to ensure seamless execution of merchandising strategies and campaigns.
Evaluate and select vendors based on performance metrics, quality standards, and cost-effectiveness. Own relationships of higher volume vendors, keeping the Supervisor/Manager informed of recent developments, challenges, support needed.
Prepare reports and presentations for senior management, highlighting key performance indicators, trends, and recommendations
Manage, train, and develop Merchandise Planners